Flushing mechanism



Dec. 18, 1928. 4 1,695,621

' J.A. VOGEL ET AL FLUSHING MECHANISM Filed A ril 5. '1927 s Sheets-Sheet 1 0 Jig ATTORNEY,

Arihur'Jf 11' 5,

J. A. VOGEL 5r AL FLUSHING MECHANISM 3 heets-Sheet 3 Filgd April 5. 1927 20 which easy access is afforded,- and in which Patented Dec. 18, 192 8 i g i v 1,6 21 ,UNITEDSTATESYPATENT -elf-5 150 15 aosnrnn. vosnn Ann ARTHUR J. annuities, on wrmvirneron, DELAWARE, As USIGNORS TO JOSEPH A, voenn COMPANY, OF wimviiive'roiv, DELA ARE, no 003- POR-ATION OF DELAWARE.

' FLUSHIN'G MECHAESTISIH.

Application filed April 5, 1927. Seria1 No..1 S1,1 08. I

This invention-relates to certain new and useful improvements in -'fiushing mechanism of the type wherein the flushmg mechanism is operativelycontrolled by the pressure of the closet seat, and particularly to that class of flushing mechanism of the stated-type in I which valves control the flow of water from a supply pipe to a closed tank herein the contained air is compressed, ancltronr'thenoe to the hopper or bowl for theflushing action.

The invention more particularly relates to afiushing mechanism of the character set forth wherein theflush'water is admitted directly to the upper rear portion of the bowl through the medium of a seat-controlled valve mechanism mounted directly upon the bowl. I v

The primary object of thep resent'invene tion is to provide a flushing mechanism in which valves arearrangedwithin a casing to the valve mechanism as a whole is so mounti'emoval for cleaning, repairs and renewal of parts as occasionrequires in service.

A further object of the? invention is to provide a flushing mechanism which is ofmaximum simplicity of construction, reliability and efliciency in action, which is comparatively inexpensive of production and installati on, which is composed of comparatively few parts, and which dispenses with a valve cage and is devoid of complex stuffing elements or other parts easily subject to wear or liability to clog or get out of order.

A San further :ob ectot the invention is to provide-a valveoperating mechanism which is automatically adjustable or variable in action to compensate {for wear of a valve- ,element. .f V

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel means I for attaching the seat bracket to therock shaft of the valve mechanism, which means may be adjustable to vary the throw of the shaft for'wear compensatingactions i i The invention consists'of the features oi" construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, inwhich v Figure 1' is a side elevation showing the application of the'fiushing mechanism to a bowl and the'seat in normal'position.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the bowl and the parts of the flushing-mechanism mounted thereon.

Figure 3 is a verticallongitudinal section through the bowl and valve mechanism,

showing the seat elevated to move the actuating rocker arm out of the path of the valve stem. i -Figure 4 is parts of the valve mechanism as they appear when the seat is depressed from thenormal positionshown in Figure 1. i

.Figure'5' is a vertical transverse section I taken substantially online 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail view showing the yielding motion transmitting and compensating means for coaction with and between the valve stem and the actuating'rocker arm.

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through an arm of a seat bracket, showing amodified form of means for securing the bracket to the rock shaft of the valve actuating mechanisnn ed as to permit of its ready and convenient a similar view showing the Figure 8 is a' view similartofFigurei'l',

showing a seat-bracket fastening means of adjustable type) Figure 9 1s a View similar to Figure tdisclosing a modification in the construction or the casing an'dgelements of the valve operat-fl ing means. i I

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on line 10-1O of Figure- 9. f

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates abowl of: any ordi- I naryor preferred construction which is-provided at its upper rear portionfwith aneX:

throughthe top of the evtension 2.

Fitted at itsylow'er end within the said opening in the top otflthe extension 2is a valve casing 41; havingat its lower e'nd an mternally threaded aperture within which is fitted the externally threaded upper end of: a

detachable valve casing discharge and guide extension 5 which opens at'its upper end into the bottom of thecasing 4 and is providedlat annular abutment shoulder 1 and abovesaid shoulder is formed with an annular series of water discharge ports8 communicatinggdirectly with the passage 3. At'its saidglowe'r itslower end with a guide opening6 and an end the valve casing is provided with a supporting flange 9 which rests upon a asket or washer 10 seated upon the top of t 1e extension 2 about the inlet opening of the water passage therein, and forming an air and water-tight connect-ion between the two, said flange and gasket being perforated for the passage of bolt-s or similar fastenings 11 whereby the valve casing is mounted in position upon the bowl.

The valve casing is provided at its upper end with externally and internally threaded nipples 12 and 13 which are in direct communication with each other and in communication with the body of the valve casing through a. port 14 in a partition 15. The nipple 12 provides a water feed or supply inlet which receives the lower end of the vertical arm of an L-shaped connector, union or fitting 16, providedwith an annular flange 17 against which bears a clamping nut 18 engaging the nipple whereby said connector is detacliably secured to the valve casing, packing 19 of a suitable kind being introduced between the flange 17 and the nipple to make a water-tight connection. The lower end of the vertical arm of the nipple is formed with a valve seat projection 20, andthe free end of the horizontal arm of the connector, which extends rearwardly from the valve casing, is providedwith an annular externally threaded coupling head or enlargement 21 to receive a nut 22 which detachably couples said. connector with a water feed or supply pipe 23 leading from any suitable source of supply of Water under pressure. The nipple 13 rcceives one end of a section of piping 24 connecting the annular passage 25 at the upper end of the valve casing with the lower end of a closed flush tank 26 which is suitably arranged above and in rear of the bowl. The partition 15 is provided with a valve seat 27 arranged in vertical alinement with the seat projection of the connector 16. A duplex valve 28 is disposed in the passage and is movable vertically between the valve seats 20 and 27. This valve is provided at its upper end with a valve member 29 which is winged or peripherally slotted for the flow of air and water about it and between said valve and the walls of the nipple 12, and said valve includes a renewable washer or seat disk 30, of rubber or other resilient or semi-resilient material, adapted to engage the seat projection 20 when said valve is in closed position and thereby cut off communication between the water supply pipe and the tank and the bowl. At its lower end the valve is provi'dedwith a valve member 31 of conical form to engage the valve seat 27 and control the port-14 for the flow of Water between the tank and the bowl.

The valve 28 is mounted upon the upper end of a rod or stem 32 which extends downwardly through the port 14 and the valve chamber and into the outlet extension 5 and is provided at its lower end with a guide flange or head 33 which is movable in the guide opening 6, whereby the lower end of the valve stem is accurately guided, the upper end of the stem and the valve 28 being guided by the wings of the valve member 28 within the nipple 12, whereby, in a simple manner, an accurate guiding of the valve and its stem in their motions is obtained.

Formed on or suitably applied to the stem 32 at a suitable point above the flange or head 33 is a-stationary collar or abutment flange 34, and surrounding the lower end of the stem between the shoulder 7 and this collar or flange 34 is a coiled expansion spring 35. This spring operates at all times when the valve stem is relieved from a predetermined downward forcing pressure to hold the seat in the normal or slightly elevated position shown in Figure 1 and to hold the valve in the normal position shown in Figure 3, in which the valve member 29 is closed and the valve member 31 is open. Also mounted on the stem or rod 32 above the collar or flange 34 is a sliding sleeve 36 having a flange 37 at its upper end, betweeuwhich flange 3i and the flange 34 is a coiled expansion spring 38. This spring 88 is shorter and stiffer than the spring and serves to normally hold the sleeve 36 elevated a predetermined dis tance above the flange or collar 34, as shown inFigure 3.

The body of the valve casing is provided with a forwardly extendin seat supporting bracket 39 Which is hollowed to form a chambered ofi'set receiving a valve actuating rocl-zer arm 40 having a forked or bifurcated free end 41 to straddle the stem 32 and engage'thc flange 37 of the sleeve 36, the opposite end of said arm being formed to providea gear segment 42 which is suitably fixed upon a motion transmitting rock shaft 43 journaled in the side walls of the chambered bracket 39. This gear segment 42 meshes with a gear 44 on the angular or non-circula r central portion 45 of a valve actuating rock shaft 6, which is journaled. in the side walls of the chambered bracket 39 and has its ends extending outwardly through stufling boxes which outwardly extending endsol the shaft fit in transverse openings inthe free ends of the fork arms 48 of a bifurcated or forked seat carrying bracket 48 and are suitably secured thereto,as by screws 48". The bracket 48 is suitably fastened to the closet seat 49, which is thus mounted for vertical swingini movements toward and from the bowl vi h the shaft 46, the latter being thereby rocked to communicate motion through the gear elements 44 and'42 to the valve stem 2:32. The stufling boxes 47 are provided with sitaitable packing 47 a and glands or followers 43'" fur an obvious purpose. I

As above-described, Figure 3 raised position of the valve, which its norshows the I is required, which is obtained by the variations of motion allowed by linear variations of the stiff spring 38. Anautomatic adjustment of the valve itself is thus provided for, to effect a positive water feed cut off action at cut off periods as long as the valve 31 is in serviceable condition, thus avoiding the necessity of frequent replacements of valve 31 or manual compensating adjustments from time to time, in order to secure a positive cut off action and to prevent leakage, which would otherwise be required. The parts 36 and 38 further provide a shock absorbing or cushioning connection between the valve actuating means and the valve to prevent any possibility of injury to the valve mechanism from shocks or jars occasioned, for example, by the accidental dropping of the seat 49 from its maximum raised position shown in Figure 3 to its service position shown in Figure 1, as will be readily understood.

In Figure 7 we have shown a different mode from that previously described of connecting the seat supporting bracket with the valve actuating rock shaft. As shown in Figure 7, the seat supporting bracket 48 haseach of its fork arms formed to provide a U-shaped yoke 48", the yokes of the crank arms being adapted to he slipped from above down upon the ends of the valve actuating shaft each yoke and the portion of the shaft which it engages being apertured for the passage of a fastening screw 48, theconstruction being such asto adapt these parts to be readily and conveniently connected and disconnected. V

In Figure 8 we have shown still another mode of connecting the seat supporting bracket 48 with the valve actuating shaftin which each arm 48 of the bracket is transversely slotted, one end of the slotted portion forming a journal receiving a sleeve upon an adjusting arm 48', which is fastened to the valve actuating shaft 45 by a pin or other suitable fastening member 48 The arm 48 has a threaded opening receiving an adjusting screw 48 hearing on the bottom wall of the slot and the head of which is accessible from the outer side of the slot to permit adjustment of said screw, whereby the seat supporting bracket may be tiltably adjusted with relation to the shaft 45* to vary the normal working positionof the seat with regard to the bowl within certain degrees. The top wall of the slot in the arm is provided with a threaded opening to receive a set screw or lock screw 48 which may be adjusted to bind against the head of the screw to hold it from upward movement and from retrograde rotation. By means of this adjustable fastening connection the position of the seat may also be varied to regulate its degree of downward operative movement and consequently the operative movement of lever 40 to compensate for variations in the, degrees of movementof the valve to effect a sealing engagement between the valve 31 and its seat 14, which construction may be used in addition to or in lieu of the motion compensating means 34, 36, 37 and 38, if desired.

In Figures 9 and 10 we have shown a moditied construction which dispenses with the use of parts 42, 43 and 44, and in which the transverse shaft 46 is mounted upon the valvecasing in rear of the valve stem and the crank arm 40 pro'ects forwardly for engagement with the dam e 37 of sleeve 36. This requires the use 0 a seat supporting bracket with fork arms of some considerable length to reach the required distance and to clear the casing to permit the seat to be swung upwardly to a vertical position; Also if these fork arms were made continuous, an objectionable backward movement of the crank .arm 40 would be required on such movement of the seat, and in makingthe bracketand long arms in a single casting the arms might be objectionably weak. These objections are overcome by l dividing the arms into sections or providing the bracket 48 with short arms 50pivotall coupled b a bolt 51 with arms 52 fastene to the sha t 46, on the angular part of which, in this instance, the crank arm 40 is directly mounted. The arms are formed with hinge knuckles for the bolt which are located adjacent to the upper edges of the arms, which are provided below the hinge knuckles with shoulders or abutment surfaces 53 adapted to abut when the arms are in longitudinal alinement. The bolt 51 is movable in slotted guides 54 at the front of the valve casing, whereby upward movement of the bolt and. arms .50 is limited. When the parts are in normal working position-the shoulders 53 abut, thus making the arms ri id for valve actuating motion under depression of the seat. The seat may, however, be swung upward to a substantially vertical position on the bolt 51 as an axis,.carrying with it the bolt up the limit of the upper ends of the slots in the guides 54, thus moving arms 52 upward and rocking shaft 45 sufficiently to swing arm 40 to a retracted position out of the path of the valve, as will be readily understood. This construction provides a working connection of considerable strength between the seat bracket and rock shaft. which dispenses with the use of gearing, and one which allows upward move ment of the seat to afull vertical position without an undue backward movement of the crank arm 40.

It will be seen from the foregoing de scription that our invention provides a flush valve mechanism which may be mounted vertically directly upon the upper rear portion of the bowl, and which may be connected in a simple and convenient manner with a water supply pipe and flush tank for working acmolten,

tions, and it willialso be. seen thatafvery simple typeot valve mechanism, devoid of cages or complex parts, is provided, whereby the use of parts requiring frequent adjust;

ments', repairs or renewals isdispensed with.

By" simply raising the seat so as to swing the crank arm out of the path of the collar 37'and uncoupling and detaching the con? nectoror union 16, full and complete access to the valve casin maybe obtained for the removal of the valve elements as a unit, for: cleaning, repa rs or replacements of'gasket 30 or other parts whenever lBCllllIECllIlSBIV:

ice. The yielding motion transmitting and compensating connection formed by the parts 84,86, 37 and38' ensures an easy transmission} offmotion to the valve stem, with entire elimination or materiahreduction of" shocks or jars, so that damage to these working parts, eve nlwhen the seat is roughtly handled, will be prevented, while the compensat-f ing action ensures a positive Working oonnection at all times-between the actuating crank arm and the valve whilepermitting automatic adjustment of the valve for a. positive closing movement of valve member 31' as long assaid valve member is in condition for use. As'the valve device iny'themainf 'consistsofparts not liable to beeasily injured or quickly worn, the gasket/'30 being the only part 'subj'ectto material wearan'd; required to' be renewed at intervals, it is evident that a valve mechanismcapable of long service; without repairs, renewals or adj ustmerits is-provided by theconstru'ction' employed. I i

. Other advantages of theinventionwill be understood and appreciated by those versed in the art without a further and extendeddescrlifition. a g aving thus fully weclaimz describedour invention,

In aflushing apparatus, a bowl, "a valve casing extending vertically above the bowl and communicating 'at vits lower end there- I with, a valve device'in said casing ;Eorcon trolling theflow'ot wa ter fromthe casing-to the bowl, a valve actuating rocker arm 'mounted in said casing, a rock shaft-journaled 'in thecasing, gearingybetween said rock shaft and rockeriarm, andanzactuating element connected to said rock shaft for imparting valve controllingmovements through said gearing to the rocker arm;

2; In a flushing apparatus, a bowl, a al I caSingYhaVing ater Supp inlet and a" water discharge outlet, the latter communieating with "the bowl, a'valve in saidjcasi'ng movable to open and close saidinlet,a}spring for normally holdingsaid valve opening with respect to said inlet,a resilient motiontrans mitting and compensating means connectedwith the valve, af-pivotally mounted actuating element engageable with saidmeans.fortransmitting valve closing pressure thereto Op};

position to the valve opening pressureof the 3. In/a flushing apparatus, a bowl, a valve spring,'and means for operating said elements casing having a water supplyinlet andadi'scharge outlet, the latter communicatingl with the bowl, avalve movable to, open and close said inlet, a steniconnected withsaid valve,

aspringacting on the stem for normally holdmg: the valve open, a resilient motion transmitting and compensating element connected with the stem, and an actuating (SlGYlCOBIlgageable with said element for imparting valve closing motion to the stem.v 1n OpPOSb tionto the pressureof the spring.

At; Ina flushing apparatus, a-bowl, a valve casing having. a water supply inlet andfav.

water discharge outlet, the, latter communi eating with'the bowl, astem movable in said" casing, a valve carried by said stem. ,'and movable thereby to .op'enand close Said Water supply inlet, an abutment onpthe, stem, a, spring'acting on sa d abutment for normally holdingthe valve closed, a. sl ding pressure transmitting member on the stem, a spring:

between said member and said abutment,'and,

an. actuating device engageable with said:

member for-transmitting motiomthrough the second-named"spring to thestein for'openingf, :1

the vvalve in opposition to "the pressure of theiirs't-namedspring.

In a. flushing apparatus casing ,risin-g vertically from the-bowl and a bowl, aFvalve 7 having at. its lower end, a. water discharge outlet communicating with the bowl, said casinghaving at its upper end 'aniinlet port,

a water. supply port and avcombined water outflow and inflow passage for connection with a; pressure tank, a, vertically movable valve stem in the valve casing,,a valve carried .by said stein andmovableiin opposite directions tohalternately closethe inletand A ater supply ports Withrespectto saido'utflow, andrlnfio-w passage, anabutment on the: stem, av spring. acting. on said, abutment li'or 1 normally holding the valve in position *to close thewater'supplyport, a sliding notion transmitting member. on the stem, afspring.

between said member fandsaid abutment, and anactuating element engageable with said motion transmitting member for transmitting motion to the secondnamed spring to shiftv the valve'to open the ater supplyport and close the inlet port against the opposition of thefi'rsunamed spring.

In a flushing apparatus, a bowl, avalve' tion with a water supplypipeand'a combined outflow and inflowpassagesfor, connection,

with the tank, and said cla'sihg having a, forveri Pr je ti ha ber d. ofis tpe ion intermediate of its ends, a valve stem movable vertically in the casing, a valve carried by said stem and movable thereby in opposite directions to alternately open and close the inlet port and water supply port with respect to the outflow and inflow passage, spring means acting on the valve for normally holding it in position to close the water supply port, a rock shaft journaled in the chambered oilset portion of the valve casing, an actuating rocker arm mounted in said chambered offset portion of the valve casing and movable to transmit motion to the valve stem in opposition to the spring, gearing between said rock shaft and rocker arm, and a seat connected with the rock shaft.

7. In a flushing apparatus, a bowl, a valve casing having a water inlet port and a discharge port, the latter communicating with the bowl, a valve movable to open and close the water inlet port, a spring for. normally holding said valve open with respect to said water inlet port, an actuating element, and a yielding motion transmitting and compensating element enga cable by said actuating element for variabIy transmitting closing motion to the valve in opposition to said spring. 7

'8. In a flushing apparatus, a valve casing having a water inlet port, a valve movable in opposite directions to open and close said port, a spring acting on the valve to force it open, avalve actuating member, and a yield ingmotion transmitting and compensating means adapted to be engaged by the valve actuating member to transmit a greater or less degree of movement to the valve fora closing action in opposition to the said valve opening spring.

9. In a flushing apparatus, a valve casing having a water inlet port, a valve stem, a valve carried by said stem and movable in opposite directions to 0 en and close said port, a spring acting on t e stem to force the valve open, an abutment on the stem, a second spring engaging said abutment, a sliding element on thestem for-compressing the latter-named spring, and a seat controlled actuating device engageable with said element to apply a valve closing movement to the stem through the second-named spring against the opposition ofthe first-named spring.

10. In a flushing apparatus, a valve casing having an outlet at its lower end for communication with a bowl and having at its upper end a primary water intake port, a passage for connecting said port with a storage tank and a secondary intake port for con meeting said passage with the body of the valve casing, a water supply connection detachably coupled to the upper end of the casing and communicatingwith the primary intake port, a valve device comprising a'valve stem disposed within the body of the casing and extending throughsaid secondary intake port into thepassage and valve members on said stem and in said passage for alternately opening and closin said intake ports, means for normally holding the valve device in position to close the primary intake port, means within the casing between the V secondary intake port and discharge port and engageable therein with thestem to adjust the valve device to open the primary intake port and close the secondary intake port against the opposition of the first-named means, and seat controlled means for actuating the second-named means.

11, In a fiushin ap' aratus, a bowl, a valve casing having a isc arge outlet communimeans in the casing for transmitting motionthrough said pressure spring to the valve in opposition to its closing spring, and an actu ating element coupled said actuating" means. V y

12. In a flushing apparatus, a bowl, :1. Valve casing extending vertically above the bowl and having an outlet at its lower end coni- -municating with the bowl, said casing having at its upper end a passage for flow of water to and roma storage tank, a primary intakeport at the topof saidpassagef or connecting the same withawater supply pipe, and a second intake port connecting the bottom of said passage with the upper portion of the valve casin a valve in said casing comprising a stem isposed in the body ofthe casing and carrying u per and lower valve members located in said passage and movable toward and from the primary and secondary intake ports for alternately opening and closing said ports with respect to the passage, spring meansifor normally maintaining the valve in position to cause the upper valve member to close the primary intake port and the lower member toopen the secondary intake port, actuating means in the valve casing for moving the valve in the direction to cause the upper valve member to open the primary intake port and the lower valve member to'close the secondary intake port, and a seat operatively coupled to the said valveactuatin means. I i 7 r 13. In a flus ing apparatus,a bowl, a valve casing having a water inlet port and a waion ter discharge port, the latter communicatin a with the bowl, a valve movable to 0 en an close the water inlet port, a spring or normally holdingsaid valve in open position with respect to said inlet port, a seat-operated valve-actuating element, and a resilient transmission means arranged between the valve and said element and adapted to be engaged by'said element for yieldinglytrans- *mitting closing movement to the valve with respect to said inlet port @in opposition to the valve opening pressure of the valve 0penmg spring.

14:. In a flushing apparatus, a bowl, a dupleX valve movable in'one direction to open communication between a water supply pipe and a tank and to close communication between the pipe and the bowl, and movable in a different direction to close communication between the pipe and the tank and to open communication between the tank and the bowl, a spring for normally moving the valve in the second-named direction, a seat, a pressure spring connected to the valve, and a rocker arm actuable by the seat r'or'yieldingly transmitting motion throughsaid presspring.

In testimony whereof we 'aflix our signatures.

JOSEPH A. VOGEL.

- ARTHUR JENNINGS. V 

